The 2013 Astrodynamics Specialist Conference hosted by the American Astronautical Society (AAS) and cohosted by American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) will be held in Hilton Head, South Carolina, August 11-15, 2013. The conference is organized by the AAS Space Flight Mechanics Committee and the AIAA Astrodynamics Technical Committee.

Abstract and Manuscript Submissions

Abstracts are to be submitted through a web based abstract submittal system. Using the web based system, authors will submit their abstract, author information and preprint before the conference. Authors will also use this site to submit their final manuscript after the conference.

Online Conference Registration

Attendees to the conference are encouraged to utilize the online registration system. Registering online will provide several benefits. You will avoid the lines at the registration table and you will have free access to preprints. Free access to preprints will only be available to people registering through the online system. Registering online will also reduce the workload on the conference organizers.

Conference Hotel

Ranked by CONDE NAST as one of the top 10 best islands and family beaches in the country, Hilton Head Island http://www.hiltonheadisland.org will provide a superb family vacation opportunity to accompany your conference experience. Kids and teens will especially enjoy the myriad of activities tailored especially for them. The Hilton Head Marriott Resort & Spa, situated on the historic Palmetto Dunes Plantation, provides a central base for exploration of all the island has to offer. Recreation opportunities abound with an 11 mile canoe and kayak lagoon network interlaced across the island, the Palmetto Bay Marina (sailing, fishing, parasailing, ocean kayaking), 20 golf courses on the island and surrounding low country, plus loads of kids activities including crafts, pool games, scavenger hunts, boat excursions to watch for dolphins, crabbing and kayaking. Interested in the local History and Culture? The Coastal Discovery Museum showcases the history, culture and ecology of Hilton Head Island area, while the Parris Island Museum addresses the Spanish colonization, Tarawa WWII Exhibit, Iron Mike (acclaimed statue of WWI marine), and the Beaufort Historic District ("Forrest Gump" filming) offers carriage rides, walking tours, and biking. How about Shopping? The Mall at Shelter Cove houses every conceivable outdoor recreation, shopping, and restaurant choice including the world's largest sundial. Waterfront evening entertainment is especially oriented for the children. Harbour Town with its iconic lighthouse, shops, galleries, and cafes provides a picturesque setting for activities. If you prefer more choices, visit the Tanger Outlets (1 and 2) or the Coligny Plaza with 60 stores. And you should not miss an opportunity to enjoy the unique Nature experiences on Hilton Head Island. Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge is a 4,000 acre preserve with bird watching of shore birds, wading birds, waterfowl, and migratory flocks. 10 miles of trails for hiking and cycling offer glimpses of white ibis, herons, ospreys, egrets, bald eagles and a visit to the butterfly garden.

Conference Program

Each day of the 3.5 day technical program will include morning and afternoon sessions, where 4 talks will be presented concurrently. The technical sessions will cover a wide spectrum of current topics in astrodynamics and spaceflight mechanics, including:

Special sessions are also planned on the "use of advanced computer architectures for mission design analysis applications" and "orbit debris modeling and removal".

Our plenary speaker will be David Barnhart, who is the program manager for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Phoenix program, who will speak on the technologies and issues associated with spacecraft-to-spacecraft interactions in low-Earth orbit (e.g., satellite servicing and debris removal). Mr. Barnhart's talk will be followed by an interactive panel discussion on the topic.

We will also be hosting an interactive discussion on the technology needs for NASA's Asteroid Retrieval Mission concept, led by Nathan Strange of JPL. His abstract is:

Overview of Mission Design for NASA Asteroid Redirection Mission Concept
Part of NASA's new asteroid iniative is a robotic mission to capture a roughly six to eight meter asteroid and redirect its orbit to place it in translunar space. Once in a stable storage orbit at the Moon, astronauts will then visit the asteroid for science investigations, to test in space resource extraction, and to develop experience with human deep space missions. This talk will discuss the mission design techniques that enable the redirection of a 100-1000 metric ton asteroid into lunar orbit with a 40-50 kW Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) system. The mission design is still in the early stages, and we welcome any comments from the astrodynamics community on our methodology or suggestions of alternate approaches.

Conference Chairmen

AAS General Chair

Dr. Kathleen Howell
ARMS 3233
School of Aeronautics and Astronautics
College of Engineering
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN 47907
(765) 494-5786
howell(AT)purdue.edu